Fiat 500 electric

Jim Frenak / Chrysler

Chrysler showed a concept of this car, based on the tiny Fiat 500 gasoline-powered car, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year. But besides saying it will hit the market in 2012, the automaker has not said much about the vehicle. Chrysler has not even hinted at pricing. But the automaker has been frank about its reasons for building the vehicle: It says that the Fiat 500 electric will help it learn more about electric and hybrid vehicles and that sales of the electric car will help it comply with federal average fuel economy rules and targets.

Chrysler showed a concept of this car, based on the tiny Fiat 500 gasoline-powered car, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year. But besides saying it will hit the market in 2012, the automaker has not said much about the vehicle. Chrysler has not even hinted at pricing. But the automaker has been frank about its reasons for building the vehicle: It says that the Fiat 500 electric will help it learn more about electric and hybrid vehicles and that sales of the electric car will help it comply with federal average fuel economy rules and targets. (Jim Frenak / Chrysler)

Chrysler showed a concept of this car, based on the tiny Fiat 500 gasoline-powered car, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year. But besides saying it will hit the market in 2012, the automaker has not said much about the vehicle. Chrysler has not even hinted at pricing. But the automaker has been frank about its reasons for building the vehicle: It says that the Fiat 500 electric will help it learn more about electric and hybrid vehicles and that sales of the electric car will help it comply with federal average fuel economy rules and targets.